Truck driver diverts, steals N3.8m Stout

The gavel of justice

A 20-year-old driver, Adebayo Akintunde, who allegedly stole 10 pallets of big Stout valued at N3.8 million from Cryslad Group of Companies, a haulage company, was on Tuesday granted temporary freedom as he was granted N3.8 million bail.

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, also granted the accused two sureties as part of the bail condition.

The Magistrate, Mr. T.O. Shomade said the sureties must be gainfully employed and also show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Akintunde, who plead not guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, resides at Agege area of Lagos.

The prosecutor, Insp. Raji Akeem told the court that the accused and some others now at large committed the offences on Oct. 10 at Guinness Nigeria Plc, Ikeja.

He alleged that the accused was directed to deliver 10 pallets of big Stout to a customer, but diverted them to another location.

Akeem said when the customer did not get the beer, she called the company and was told that they had been delivered to her warehouse.

“When the company interrogated the driver, he told them that the customer told him to drop the goods at an open field close to their warehouse.

“It was later discovered that the driver had planned with some other people to steal the 10 pallets of Stout.

“The driver was apprehended and taken to the police while his co-conspirators are still at large.

The offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 285 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 409 stipulates two years imprisonment for conspiracy.

The case was adjourned to Nov.14 for trial.